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As the city prepares to lay off 35 firefighters, the president of the Reno firefighters union urged the Reno City Council to think carefully before approving nearly $1 million in new spending on the agenda today.

Local 731 President Dennis Jacobsen said his union leadership is working on alternatives to present to city management that he said could mitigate the upcoming layoffs, caused by the loss of a $12 million federal grant. And he pleaded with the council to delay non-essential spending until a fix can be found for the layoff problem.

The council's agenda today includes $233,500 for five new police cars, $336,135 for special events and $398,000 for a sewer line inspection system and vehicle chassis.

"Some of them may be immediate needs," Jacobsen said. "We understand the city has to continue to operate. But we ask each of you only approve monies for immediate needs when pending layoffs are in near future."